The IDA Ireland organised forum, in association with the Financial Times, brings international and Irish financial industry leaders, regulators and policy experts together
Dublin, Wednesday, 12th February 2020 – The fifth European Financial Forum (EFF), the annual gathering of public and private leaders and decision makers in the financial services industry, is being held in Dublin today. This annual forum offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the crucial issues impacting the financial industry today, and the opportunities that the next decade will bring. The theme of this year’s event will focus on ‘Being Ready for a new Decade’.
The forum, organised by IDA Ireland in association with the Financial Times as part of Ireland for Finance, the Irish Government’s strategy for the development of the International Financial Services (IFS) sector, will bring together international and Irish financial industry leaders from banking, finance, insurance, regulation, fintech and asset management to discuss significant events in the industry such as Brexit as well as emerging challenges in industry and regulation.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, opened the forum at Dublin Castle. Keynote speakers joining the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, TD, include Gabriel Makhlouf, Governer of the Central Bank of Ireland and member Governing Council of the European Central Bank, Philip Lane, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, Mary Daly, President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Norihiro Takahasi, President, Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) and Steven Maijoor, Chair, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
Panel participants include Alessandra Perrazzelli, Deputy Governor, Bank of Italy, Sharon Donnery, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Ireland and Pat Cox, Chairman, Green Finance Committee, Sustainable National Ireland. Former UK Prime Minister Sir John Major will feature in conversation with Patrick Jenkins, Deputy Editor of the Financial Times on the topic ‘Brexit, the UK, the EU and the Future.’
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:
“Ireland is the seventh most competitive economy in the world and the second in the euro area. Our economy is preforming well, underpinned by strong public finances. We are at the heart of Europe, the single-market and the Eurozone. International Financial Services have played a significant role in helping us achieve our place as a forward-looking country, integrated in the global economy. They contribute jobs and tax revenues to fund our public services, and trade and investment reaffirms our position in the world economy.
Today Ireland is home to over 430 international financial service companies, employing almost 44,000 people. Now, we want to further develop our financial services sector, and drive forward in a post-Brexit world in innovative and creative ways. This year’s Forum will allow thought-provoking discussions on the challenges for this sector, for wider industry, and for the global economy.”
IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “As Ireland has been developing as a global financial centre in recent years so too has the European Financial Forum developed as a key platform for global leaders in financial services to engage in high level discussions on issues of importance to the sector. The EFF is an ideal opportunity to showcase Ireland’s offering as an attractive, open-for-business location for other financial services companies considering locating here. IDA Ireland will continue to promote Ireland’s attractiveness as a committed member of the EU, offering a talented workforce, a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, a competitive, business-friendly environment and strong regulatory system.”
The forum will address issues around preparedness for a new decade, future growth in the market, the opportunities arising from technological innovation and what is needed to encourage long term sustainable growth to the benefit of all.
Contact
Ellen Lynch
Press & PR Manager
IDA Ireland
+87 4112084 ellen.lynch@ida.ie